I want to exhort you on steps to effective fasting for busy people. It is important to acknowledge that we live in a world of busy minds and people. We live in a fast-paced world. We have fast trains, fast planes, fast-paced technologies, and communication media.
Everything is so fast that many of those who really want to catch up have little or no time for God and to prepare for eternity; hence the need to teach on STEPS TO EFFECTIVE FASTING FOR BUSY PEOPLE.
If Daniel, a statesman, vice president, and the chief of staff under three regimes spanning 70 years, could fast and pray for 21 days; you have no excuse.
The simple steps to fasting and praying as busy people in a fast-paced world are:
- Understand Fasting
- Why Christians Fast
- Make a Plan That Suits Your Schedule and Health Condition
- Commit to a Schedule
- Continue Steadfastly in Prayer, Fellowship, in the Word, in Giving, in Serving, in the Spirit…after the Fast
What Is Fasting?
Fasting is abstinence from food, entertainment, and extreme exertion in order to direct our attention more fully to God. (Isaiah 58)
There are three main examples of fasting in the scriptures:
- Complete Fast: In this example of fasting, you eat nothing except liquids for a certain period, which may be 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 21 days, or 40 days. The Lord fasted for 40 days and nights in the wilderness.
- Partial Fast: In this type, you abstain from food from sunrise to sunset, then eat in the evening, for a number of days.
- Selective Fast (Daniel’s Fast): We see this example of fasting in Daniel 10:3, where Daniel abstained from meat, pleasant bread, sugar, sweets, dairy products, and wines and vinegar. (Further reading Isaiah 58)
Why Do Christians Fast and Pray?
Throughout the scriptures, God’s people took time to fast and pray in order to grow closer to God and experience breakthrough in critical areas and times of their lives.
In Matthew 6:16, we understand that fasting and praying are among the spiritual disciplines and outward expressions of faith that every Christian must devote themselves to.
Matthew talks about the need for Christians to give to Christian charity, fast, pray, forgive others, serve, and trust God. (Isaiah 58)
Make a Plan and Commitment
Depending on your schedule, strength, and motivation (objective) for fasting, you may make a plan. Determine how long you want to fast and which example you want to adopt.
Schedule
Early in the Morning Before Sunrise
- Start your day with singing and worship
- Set clear objectives for the day
- Read and meditate on relevant scriptures that align with your objectives (invite the Holy Spirit to show and empower you to walk in the will and way of God)
- Command your day after the order of the Lord’s prayer
At Noon, During the Lunch Break
- Return to prayer and Bible study
- Take a short prayer walk or find a quiet place to deal with arrows that fly by day and destruction that wastes at noon
- Refresh and reroute
In the Evening
- Find a quiet place to meditate and pray. If others are fasting with you, meet and pray
- Pray fervently, dealing with the terror by night and the pestilence that walks in darkness
- Journal and plan the next day.
Say blessed.
